Writing machine



Aug. 10, 1937. J. A. B. SMITH 2,089,442

WRITING MACHINE Fiied Jan. 9, 1936' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INVENTOR Jessefl-B-SM ORNEY WRITING MACHINE Fil'ed Jan. 9, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I l I I I l I I n INVENTOR Patented Aug. 10, 1937 PATENT OFFIQE WRITING MACHINE Application January 9, 1936, Serial No. 58,262

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in writing machines, and more particularly to improvements in front feed devices to facilitate the insertion and removal of the intermediate work 6 sheet or sheets relatively to the manifolding sheets or webs, when performing posting operations on such machines.

As is well-known, posting operations necessitate the use of a proof or audit sheet on which all 10 the accounts are entered one below the other, to-

gether with other data which is not to appear on the ledger sheets relating to the individual accounts.

A proof or audit sheet may be first inserted in the machine, and properly positioned relatively to the printing point, after which a manifolding sheet or web, preferably of less width, is placed over the proof or audit sheet, the left hand edges of the proof and manifolding sheets being aligned so as to leave the right hand marginof the proof sheet uncovered for the reception of original entries not appearing on the ledger sheet.

The ledger sheets relating to the individual accounts and of substantially the same width as the manifolding sheet or web above-mentioned, are then successively placed upon and removed from the manifolding sheet, a second manifolding sheet or web being arranged over the ledger sheet and a bill or statement placed over the uppermost manifolding sheet, which last-named sheet may be of less width than the ledger sheets if it be desired to write original matter on the right hand margins of the individual ledger sheets.

Obviously, the original entries appearing on 5 the successive bills or statements to be sent the customers, are duplicated by means of the manifolding material, on the ledger and proof sheets. After completing the bill, it is necessary to remove the latter and the individual account or ledger sheet, and substitute a bill and ledger sheet relating to the next account.

In flat platen machines of the well-known Elliott-Fisher type, it has been customary, heretofore, to use a proof or audit sheet of about the same width as the platen, lead the manifolding sheets or webs over the proof sheet from a roll or rolls located back of the rear edge of the platen, and fasten the leading ends of the manifolding sheets to a cross bar extending between the sides of the platen frame at the front end of the platen, as a result of which custom, the thin manifolding sheets lay close together, and it was necessary to return the traveling key carriage to the rear of the platen so as to clear the work to enable the operator not only to remove the written bill or statement and ledger sheet, but more particularly to enable the insertion of the next ledger sheet between the superposed manifolding webs.

Such insertion was accomplished by manually separating the manifolding webs with one hand and holding them apart while inserting the ledger sheet laterally edgewise and adjusting it blindly to its proper place, after which the key carriage must again be advanced to the writing line.

This almost constant shifting of the key carriage imposed a strain on the operator, and the removal and insertion of the work consumed considerable time and was wasteful of manifolding material which frequently tore under unskillful or careless handling, necessitating further delay in drawing forwardly an untorn length of web and securing it tautly in place. If the torn web was left in place, illegible printing occurred at the point where torn.

Obviously these disadvantages reduced the number of bills or statements which could be prepared in a given time.

The present invention has for one of its principal objects, the provision of means to facilitate the removal of the intermediate work sheet from between the adjacent manifolding webs and the insertion of such work sheet between the webs.

And such insertion and removal is effected without manual handling of the manifolding webs or sheets, and requires only slight if any shifting of the key carriage from and to the writing line.

Another object is to provide a device which is readily adjusted to operate in connection with manifolding webs of varying widths, depending upon the particular sizes of the statements used in different lines of business or accounting systerns.

Heretofore, independently mounted clamping members for the leading ends of the carbon webs have been provided, one or both of which clamping members were shiftable vertically to separate the manifolding webs for the insertion and removal of the work sheets. Normally the clamping members occupy their lowered positions in substantial alinement and in substantially the same horizontal plane.

Obviously, in such lowered positions, the clamping members retain the manifolding sheets tightly stretched over the interleaved work sheets, and prevent the removal and insertion of the work sheets.

This type of carbon clamp necessitates the provision of considerable mechanism which must be built into the machine during its construction and adds materially to the cost.

Still another object, therefore, is the provision of an inexpensive front feed device which is always effective, and which is attachable to machines already in use without necessitating any change therein, except the removal of a single part for which this invention is substituted.

To these and other ends, the invention includes certain novel features and combinations, which will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the front end of a flatbed writing machine, showing one embodiment of the invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a View in front elevation, showing the spaced relation of the clamping members;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan View on a larger scale, showing the connection for relative angular adjustment of the clamping members;

Fig. l is a detail side View of the means to releasably attach the front feed device to ma- M chines;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device in disassembled condition;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail View in section on line 66 of Fig. 1 showing the relative positions of the clamping members and their manifolding sheets, whereby the throat is formed for the insertion and removal of the interleaved work sheet; and

Fig. '7 is a detail plan view of the position taken by the leading end of the upper manifolding 0 sheet, when secured to the upper, shorter clamping member.

This invention is shown as applied to the wellknown Elliott-Fisher type of writing machine, such as is shown, in part, in U. S. patents to Foothorap, Nos. 1,116,812, issued November 10, 1914; 1,505,385, issued August 19, 1924; 1,679,835, issued August '7, 1928, and 2,002,695, issued May 28, 1935, to which reference may be had for further disclosure than that herein made, it being 0 understood that the invention is applicable to other writing machines of both flat and round platen types.

Referring to Fig. 1, the usual vertically movable platen l is supported between the side bars 2, 2 of the machine frame, the upper edges of the bars constituting rails on which the line space frame 3, common. in Elliott-Fisher ma chines, travels back and forth.

A key carriage, indicated at 4, is equipped with wheels 5 in contact with the transverse bars of the line spacing frame to traverse the platen from side to side in letter spacing direction and return.

In posting operations, the proof sheet 6 is first placed on the platen, and if desired, one marginal edge of the proof sheet may be ap-ertured at equally spaced intervals, as at l, to be engaged by studs 9 of a shiftable bar (not shown) for positioning and feeding the proof sheet relatively to the printing line, as explained in U. S. patents to Foothorap, 1,963,232, June 19, 1934, and

1,730,566, October 8, 1929, for instance.

The manifolding sheets or webs 9 and Iii are arranged in superposed relation on the upper face of the proof sheet.

Where the manifolding material is in the form of webs wound into rolls, the rolls are commonly mounted on shafts journaled between the side bars 2 of the platen frame, as shown in patent to Foothorap 1,199,358, September 26, 1916, for example. The rolls are not illustrated.

The superposed manifolding material, as carbon paper, may conveniently be of different widths less than the width of the proof sheet, as shown, the left hand edges of the manifolding and proof sheets being alined so as to expose an area of the proof sheet adjacent its right hand. margin for the entry of data, used for checking purposes.

Each ledger sheet H on which the individual accounts are carried, is inserted between the manifolding sheets 9 and ID, to receive entries imprinted thereon through the upper manifolding sheet it, after which the ledger sheet is removed and another substituted therefor.

The ledger sheets ll are of less width than the proof sheet 6, and preferably correspond substantially in width to the width of the lower manifolding sheet 9, so that all entries listed on the ledger sheet shall be reproduced on the proof sheet.

Conveniently, but not necessarily, the upper manifolding sheet 50 is of less width than the ledger sheet l l, the individual bills or statements l2, preferably of the same width as the upper manifolding sheet being placed thereon; and the entries made by actuation of the typing mechanism (not shown) mounted in the key carriage 5, after which the written bill is removed and a blank one substituted therefor.

The platen l is normally pressed upwardly, so that its right and left edges contact the under faces of paper-holding shoulders l3. 7

Prior to placing the work and manifolding sheets in position on the platen, the latter is depressed, so that the left hand edges of the sheets may be inserted into the space between the edge of the platen and the corresponding paper holding shoulder, and after the sheets are properly adjusted by alining their left hand edges against the inner face of the adjacent side bar 2, the platen is restored to its normal elevated position to clamp the edges in place, all as shown in U. S. patent to Foothorap, 1,730,566, October 8, 1929.

The foregoing is well known, and constitutes a part of the present invention only insofar as it co-acts with the novel features hereinafter set forth.

After the bill I2 is typed, as above explained, the manifolding sheets 9 and i6 having enabled the duplication of the entries on the individual ledger sheet I I and on the proof sheet 6, the platen is depressed to enable the operator to remove the individual ledger sheet and the bill, and to substitute a new bill and ledger sheet, the proof sheet is fed rearwardly to bring a blank. space to the printing line, or the new bill and ledger sheet are so arranged relatively to the proof sheet as to register the proper writing lines of all the work sheets, after which the platen restores to its normal elevated position to secure the Work sheets where adjusted.

Heretofore, it was necessary to shift the line space frame 3 and key carriage rearwardly to afford the operator room to grasp and remove the completed bill and ledger sheet and insert the succeeding bill and ledger sheet to be written, and-as it was customary to secure the leading ends of both the manifolding sheets to a single cross carbon clamp strip extending between the front ends of the side bars 2 of the platen frame, the manifolding sheets were tautly stretched and lay in close contact with but little slack, so that it was necessary for the operator to carefully separate the manifolding sheets and while holding them separated, to insert the individual ledger sheet laterally between the manifolding sheets 5 and force it therebetween until the left hand edge of the ledger sheet met the alining face of the side bar, after which the ledger sheet had to be manipulated blindly so that its side edge squarely fitted against the alining edge of the side bar.

Thereupon, after properly positioning the new bill, the platen could be elevated to hold the work and manifold sheets in place, and the previously displaced line space frame and key carriage advanced to the printing line.

Obviously, this manipulation of the ledger sheet, along with the shifting of the line space frame and key carriage occupied considerable time, and required careful handling to avoid tearing the delicate carbon tissue, which increased the cost of getting out the bills and more time was consumed in writing the bills and ledger sheets.

To obviate these and other disadvantages, I have provided what may be'termed a front feed device, which materially reduces the time heretofore required to insert the bills and ledger sheets by eliminating any manual handling of the manifolding sheets, and also relieving the operator of the work of shifting the line spacing frame and key carriage through considerable distances from and to the writing line, with each bill.

And I have effected these advantages without the use of expensive special operating mechanisms to separate the sheets and bring them together.

Furthermore, the invention is readily attachable to machines already in use in the field.

In the usual Elliott-Fisher machine, there is an appreciable space between the front edge of the platen l and the front ends of the side bars 2, which is desirable to enable the line space frame and carriage to advance so that they overhang the front edge of the platen, and locate the types of the key carriage in position to print on a line nearly coincident with the front edge of the platen.

The space between the front edge of the platen and the front ends of the side bars 2 is customarily occupied by a dished or downwardly inclined apron or carbon clamping strip (not shown), the ends of which were remo-vably supported in substantially horizontal slots l3 formed in the front ends of the side bars 2, in line with the upper face of the platen.

My invention contemplates the removal of this apron, which can readily be effected by the use of a screw driver, and the substitution of a clamping blade or member M. The inner edge of the clamping blade I5 is flanged at l5, (Figs. 2 and 6) except at the extreme ends of the blade, to afford strength and provide a stop for the coacting gripping element It of the clamp.

This gripping element consists merely of a folded strip U-shaped in cross-section, affording a longitudinal opening to enable the grip ping element to be slid onto and off of the clamping blade i i and to frictionally embrace the blade to grip the leading end of the lower manifolding sheet 9, which is brought over the blade and then led downwardly and backwardly, as indicated in Fig. 6.

, Brackets ll, (best shown in Fig. 5), the body portions of which are substantially U-shaped to fit over the front ends of the side bars 2, are provided with offset or laterally extending ears I8 suitably pivoted at 19 to the opposite, unfianged ends of the clamping blade [4, the outer wall of each U-shaped bracket having a vertically extending finger 20, terminating in an inwardly offset retaining lip 2! adapted to enter the slots l3 formed in the front ends of the platen frame side bars 2.

Set screws or similar fastenings 22 mounted in one wall of each bracket, engage the side faces of the side bars 2 and serve to hold the attachment securely in place, with the retaining lips inserted in the slots l3.

Pivotally attaching the holding brackets I! to the clamping blade l4 enables the adjustment of the brackets relatively to the clamping member to accommodate the attachment to slight variations in the form and arrangement of the parts such as occur in the manufacture of machines.

A second clamping blade or member 23 is conveniently connected to the main clamping member M, by the same pivot l9 that secures the left hand bracket I! to the main or stationary clamping member. The left hand pivot I9 is longer than the right hand pivot, and is provided with a spacing collar 24 (Figs. 2 and 5) and an apertured spacing block 25, whereby to separate the two clamping members i i and 23 vertically, the spacing block and collar enabling the bracket I! and the upper clamping member 23 to have independent pivotal movement relatively to each other and to the stationary clamping member [4.

And it is evident that a series of clamping members, such as 23, could be successively pivoted one above the other, if necessary.

In the particular embodiment selected for illustration, however, the use of but two manifolding sheets 9 and ill renders it unnecessary to show more than two clamping members.

The shiftable clamping member 23 differs from the stationary clamping member M in that it is considerably shorter, since it co-acts with the narrower manifolding sheet ill, the blade 23 being slitted longitudinally from its outer free end throughout the greater part of its length, as shown in Fig. 5, to form two flexible fingers which greatly facilitates attachment of the leading end of the ledger manifolding sheet If! to the clamp. After threading the sheet it] between the fingers of the clamp 23, the gripping member 2'5, similar to the gripping member it, is forced over the coacting slitted clamping blade 23 to bind the leading end of the manifolding sheet l8 snugly in place.

The width of the gripping member 26 is greater than the width of the slitted blade 23 to enable the gripping member to embrace both fingers of the slitted clamping blade 23.

Prior to the insertion of the leading end of the manifolding sheet if) between the flexible fingers of the clamping blade 23, the blade is swung rearwardly on its pivot l9 relatively to the stationary clamping blade l4, so that its free end overhangs the ledger sheet H, as indicated in Figs. 1 to 6, to enable the operator to have free access to the lower right hand corner of the ledger sheet.

The leading end of the manifolding sheet l0 may then be threaded between the fingers forming the blade 23, the sheet passing through the slitted blade on the bias, as shown in Fig. 7, and pulled taut, after which it is brought upwardly against the front edge of the blade 23, and the gripping member 26 applied, to secure the sheet in place. The projecting end of the sheet may be torn off along the edge of the upper lip of the gripping member 26.

From an inspection of Figs. 1 and 6, it will be seen that the clamping members l4 and 23 are relatively offset vertically and transversely or horizontally and that these members, together with the leading ends of the manifolding sheets 9 and it), constitute a throat through which the ledger sheet l i may be readily inserted or flicked into place by a wrist motion of the operator, without further separation of the manifolding sheets, which, together with their clamping members, remain stationary until worn out when it becomes necessary to substitute new manifolding sheets.

Furthermore, the operator is relieved of the necessity for displacing the line spacingframe and key carriage at the completion of every bill, heretofore required to enable the operator to grasp the bill and individual ledger sheet to remove them, and to afford room for the insertion of a new bill and ledger sheet.

By the use of this invention, the lower right hand corner of the ledger sheet is always accessible to permit removal, and the succeeding ledger sheet may be readily insert-ed through the throat formed by the upper and lower manifolding sheets, without displacing the carriage.

Also the necessity for the lateral insertion and removal of the ledger sheets is eliminated, these sheets now being inserted and removed by a swinging movement.

The inner edge of the slitted clamping member 23 is inclined upwardly slightly, as at 2'! to maintain the separation of the leading end of the upper manifolding sheet If! from the leading end of the lower manifolding sheet 9, and it will be noted that although such leading ends are held apart, the reaches of the manifolding sheets lying on the platen i are closely adjacent, due to the positioning of the stationary clamping member [4 in a plane slightly below the upper face of the platen i, and the location of the upper clamping member in a plane substantially coincident with the upper face of the platen.

This feature is accentuated somewhat in the enlarged sectional view Fig. 6, in order to more clearly illustrate the throat formed by the clamping members and manifolding sheets.

Also, by inclining upwardly the inner edge of the shiftable blade the carbon sheet 10 supports the lower end of the bill form l2 at such height above the clamping member, that liability of the lower edge of the form catching on the clamp is materially reduced.

In case it be desired to limit the lateral, offset adjustment of the shiftable clamping member 23 relatively to the stationary clamping member E4, the left end of the shiftable clamping member may be provided with an arcuate slot 28 to accommodate a headed stud 2Q threaded into. the stationary clamping member I s, a friction washer as being interposed between the head of the limiting stud and the shiftable clamping member to retain the clamping members where adjusted.

Furthermore, the clamping member 23 whenshifted to overhang the ledger sheet ls, enters the slot it in the adjacent side bar 2 of-the frame, which affords a support therefor to prevent flexure, in addition to the pivot [9, it being recalled that no support can be given the free end of this clamping member.

The headed stud 29 passes through a spacing collar 35 and through an aperture-in the-spacing block 25.

Adjustment of the shiftable clamping member, I

enables the device to ccact with work and manifolding sheets of various widths such as may be in use in different accounting systems.

.In general, the angularly adjustable clamping member is positioned relatively to the stationary clamping member to suit the width of the particular forms in use by the operator, after which the pivot ESand limit stud 29 are set to maintain the members where adjusted.

Use of this invention enables the operator to select the particular typing area on the platen which suits his individual convenience and preference. The proof or audit sheet 6 may be arranged wherever desired on the platen, and its lower end permitted to hang down between the front edge of the platen and the front feed device, as illustrated, or the front feed device enables the key carriage and line space frame to advance relatively to the proof sheet as the bills are successively collated and written, rather than feeding the. proof sheet rearwardly to bring blank lines to the printing mechanism, when desired.

Longer proof sheets may be used, irrespective of which method of writing the bills is followed.

What I claim as new, is:

1. In a writing machine, the combination with a frame; and a platen mounted in the frame, on which work sheets, and a plurality of manifolding sheets lie; of supports to which the leading ends of the respective manifolding sheets are individually secured, the'supports being spaced apart and arranged at an angle relatively to each other, to facilitate the manual insertion and removal of a work sheet between the manifold sheets.

2. In a writing machine, the combination with a frame; and a plat/en mounted therein on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets are arranged; of clamping members individual to the respective manifolding sheets, disposed in angular relation and in parallel planes to retain the leading ends of the superposed manifolding sheets, and provide a throat to facilitate the manual insertion and removal of a work sheet between the manifolding sheets.

3. In a writing machine, the combination with a frame; anda platen mounted therein on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets are arranged; of clamping members individual to the respective manifolding. sheets, to retain the sheets taut, the outermost clamping member being spaced apart from, and arranged at an angle to, the associated clamping member, to form, in connection therewith and with the manifolding sheets, athroat to facilitate the insertion and removal of a work sheet between the manifolding sheets.

4. In a writing machine, the combination with a frame; and a platen mounted therein on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets are arranged; of clamping members individual to the respective manifolding sheets, to retain the sheets taut, the outermostand shorter clamping member being. spaced. apart from, and arranged at an angle to, the associated clamping member, to form, in connection therewith and with the manifolding sheets, a throat to facilitate the insertion and removal of a work sheet between the manifolding sheets.

5. In: av writing machine, the combination with a frame; and a platen mounted therein on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets are arranged:;;, ofclamping members of uneven lengthsyto retain the respective manifolding V sheetstaut,,ancl arrangedat an angle relatively to each other to provide a throat to facilitate the insertion and removal of a work sheet relatively to the manifolding sheets.

6. In a writing machine, the combination with 5 a frame; and a platen mounted therein, on which the interspersed work and manifolding sheets lie; of clamping members to which the leading ends of the manifolding sheets are secured, the members having an angular relation and being 10 spaced apart vertically, one of the members being shorter than the other to facilitate the insertion and removal of a work sheet between the adjacent manifolding sheets.

'7. In a writing machine, the combination with 15 a frame; a platen mounted therein, on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets of various widths are arranged for writing; and printing mechanism, the platen and printing mechanism being relatively movable; of a front feed 20 device, including a pair of relatively angular supports to which the leading ends of adjacent manifolding sheets are respectively secured, the upper support being shorter than the lower support to facilitate the insertion and removal of a work 25 sheet between the adjacent manifolding sheets.

8. In a writing machine, the combination with a frame; a platen mounted therein, on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets of various widths are arranged for writing; and printing mechanism, the platen and printing mechanism being relatively movable; of a front feed device, including a pair of relatively angular supports to which the leading ends of adjacent manifolding sheets are respectively secured, the upper support being shorter than the lower support to facilitate the insertion and removal of l a work sheet between the adjacent manifolding sheets; and means to releasably attach the front feed device to machines in the field.

40 9. In a writing machine, the combination with a frame; a platen mounted therein, on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets of various widths are arranged for writing; and printing mechanism, the platen and printing mech- 45 anism being relatively movable; of a front feed device, including a clamping bar extending across the platen to which the leading end of a lower wider manifolding sheet is secured; and a second clamping bar pivotally supported at one end 50 for angular adjustment relatively to the firstnamed bar, to overhang the platen, and being shorter than the first-named bar, to which the leading end of the narrower uppermost manifolding sheet is attached.

10. In a writing machine, the combination with a frame; a platen mounted therein, on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets of various widths are arranged for writing; and printing mechanism, the platen and printing mechanism being relatively movable; of a front feed device, including a clamping bar extending transversely of the platen, and to which the leading end of a lower wider manifolding sheet is secured; brackets connected to the opposite ends of the clamping bar to enable its attachment to the opposite sides of the platen frame; and a shorter clamping bar pivotally supported at one end for angular adjustment relatively to the longer clamping bar, to overhang the platen, and secure the leading end of an upper narrower manifolding sheet.

11. In a writing machine, the combination with a frame; a platen mounted therein, on which interspersed work and manifolding sheets of various widths are arranged for writing; and printing mechanism, the platen and printing mechanism being relatively movable; of a front feed device, including several clamping members detachably supported on the opposite sides of the platen frame, and vertically and angularly spaced relatively to one another; the members being disproportionate in length, one of the members being longitudinally slitted to form flexible fingers between which the leading end of its appropriate manifolding sheet is gripped; and a channelled retainer of greater depth than the width of one of the flexible fingers to embrace the slitted fingers and firmly secure the leading end of the manifolding sheet.

12. The combination with a posting machine, including a frame; a platen mounted therein to support a wide proof or audit sheet, a ledger or posting sheet of less width; and a still narrower bill or statement sheet, and manifolding sheets of widths substantially corresponding to the widths of the ledger and the statement sheets, respectively, and located beneath their corresponding work sheets; of a front feed device to enable the ready insertion and removal of the intermediate work sheet between the two uppermost manifolding sheets, including relatively angular, and vertically spaced elements to secure the leading ends of the uppermost manifolding sheets tautly in place.

JESSE A. B. SMITH. 

